Being close to home, Okareka is probably the location I most frequently write about. Visits are usually late afternoon for the possibility of a brief moment of magical light with birds. One previous post was a nocturnal visit for Astrophotography.

With my recent focus on macro photography another night trip was in order to photograph the frogs and spiders that emerge once the birds are disadvantaged by the dark. The sheer number of spiders is incredible with eyes shining back from the grasses like Christmas lights. Most of these are Nurseryweb spiders but there are a number of other species also present.

Being hunters the Nurseryweb spiders are out prowling for prey but no doubt some become prey to the frogs if wandering too close.

Aotearoa/New Zealand has 3 introduced species of frogs that have established themselves. The Brown Tree frog (Litoria ewingii), Southern Bell frog (Litoria raniformis) and Green and Golden Bell frog (Litoria aurea). The two Bell frogs can both occur at Okareka and can be challenging to differentiate especially when young. This Department of Conservation Identification key can be helpful with adult frogs if you can get a clear view of their back.

Photos with Nikon D850, Tamron F017 90mm macro lens, Nikon SB900 flash with homemade macro diffuser.